Fit, finish and quality comparison...

[sbarrett]

I currently pull with a 2017 Ford F-350 Lariat dually. I pull a Cedar Creek Champagne 38 EL. I’m interested in upgrading the truck to a more high end model (high country / Laramie longhorn, etc). Is anyone willing to offer their assessment or experiences with both Chevy 3500 and the Ram 3500? Are they put together well (not rattle boxes), are the interior materials good quality and hole up well, would you buy again (important question)?

I understand brand loyalty, I’ve owned three ford super duties but I would like to change things up. I have no problem changing brands if they’re good, solid vehicles.

Please share your experiences if you don’t mind... thank you

Sonny
Pasadena Maryland

[GeoBoy]

I drive GM base model trucks, I put my money in my SUV/car because that what I drive on most days. I don’t like the ergonomics of the Fords and on the mid grade RAM I find the interior materials kind of plasticky.

[Camper_G]

I have a 2017 2500 ram tradesmen. My prior was a 2015 Silverado.

I've been a ford man for a long time but have to say this ram is really nice. I looked at a 17 super duty before I bought the ram and it was very nice, but not 10k. Nicer.

I was.not happy with my Silverado. Interior rattles started at 2000 miles, drivers seat got loose at 2500 miles, fixed under recall. GM 6 speed is the worst shifting automatic I've ever owned. I could go on. The ram is.not perfect but i like it much more.

Maybe i just got a bad one? I think all 3 of the big 3 are good. Just my .02.

[Cummins12V98]

It STILL puts a smile on my fact every time I drive or tow with it!

33-35K combined, it HANDLES the load in aLL conditions!!!

The LongHorn interior is unmatched in quality and comfort. The truck it's self is solid in every way.

The Cummins and AISIN are both True Medium Duty. OH, those hips are SEXY. 😉

9.5 mpg HAND CALC AVERAGE West Coast Towing. Double tow same conditions 9 mpg.

[Grit_dog]

I think you’d be hard pressed to find any real issues with the quality /features and finish of any of the trucks. Pick your favorite style and engine, imo.

[Learjet]

My 2013 Ford XLT vs My 2017 Ram Big Horn...same quality. The Ram is a higher trim level than the XLT on the Ford...so it's nicer to me. But both are quality.

My Boss has a 2017 DRW GMC Denali that I drive and ride in often....Although fit and finish are equal...there is lots I don't like about the truck...little things he also finds and compares to my truck and his previous Ford.

Overall, you can't go wrong with the big three HD trucks.

[Bedlam]

I went from a XL Ford to a Tradesman Ram. These are base trucks but comparable in trim levels. Fit and finish is about the same between both but I give ergonomics of the seating and controls to Ford and additional functionality to the Ram. I switched because I felt I was getting more value in the Ram for what I paid. If both were the same price, I would most likely have stayed with the Ford.

[sbarrett]

Wow, these responses are great! Thank you for all the insight, it’s much appreciated

Sonny

[joelc]

My truck is older. I bought it because the build was rated the best at that time. The interior is okay, but many engine related repairs. I would not purchase another Ford unless others are just as bad.

[WTP-GC]

I've owned them all...various trim levels, body/interior styles, big/small, etc. For the most part, all of the newer vehicles are real nice on the high-end of the trim package. They're all a little different, so it's easy to say you like this one more than that one for XX reason. However, IMHO, I'll take the GM interiors any day over the competitors. I'm sure the other guys do it too now, but I'm in love with the real dim LED lights that GM has on the interior that light up all the important areas (console, door handles, etc.) without being offensive light. It is on do the nicest touches I've seen.

[eHoefler]

On my 4th Ram, will be on my 5th at the end of the year.

[alexleblanc]

Every Ram Laramie Longhorn i’ve Been in has had a very nice interior and I would say they are on part with the King Ranch/Platinum, the GM Denali and High country seem to be more like your current Lariat, quite nice but the quality of the leather and the dash material aren’t in the same league in my opinion even if they are still durable.

All the trucks I’ve driven in that have been built in the last 5-6 years from all the brands seem to be pretty well rattle free and that’s saying a lot with our roads up here, cheap rattlebox interiors that fall apart are a pre-2008 thing in my opinion and they’ve all gotten significantly better.

[ksss]

I buy the Chevy LTZ trim level. The High Country is nice but not $3500 nicer than the LTZ, and that HC in brown is just not attractive to me. The black is better. The GM interiors wear and hold up very well, but not as much bling as Ram. I travel down logging roads, rough terrain work sites and the interiors don't rattle, the leather on the edge of the seat stays in good shape. Previous interiors would wear and crack. I have not seen that since the 2015 redo.

[Bionic_Man]

My 2012 has held up very well over the years and miles.

Think that Ford and RAM stand up pretty well to each other for quality of workmanship and fit/finish. I don't think that Chevy/GM is really in the same class with their top tier models. IMO, the Denali isn't in the same league.

[ford_truck_guy]

sbarrett wrote:
I currently pull with a 2017 Ford F-350 Lariat dually. I pull a Cedar Creek Champagne 38 EL. I’m interested in upgrading the truck to a more high end model (high country / Laramie longhorn, etc). Is anyone willing to offer their assessment or experiences with both Chevy 3500 and the Ram 3500? Are they put together well (not rattle boxes), are the interior materials good quality and hole up well, would you buy again (important question)?

I understand brand loyalty, I’ve owned three ford super duties but I would like to change things up. I have no problem changing brands if they’re good, solid vehicles.

Please share your experiences if you don’t mind... thank you

Sonny
Pasadena Maryland

There are a lot of Ram owners here and they passionate about their TV's... not as many Chevy.... Those new Ram DRW's are sweet looking though !